Sunday 17 / November / 2024
Muscat: Charities in Oman have called for people to donate more of their time and money for helping those who need assistance during the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite having received more money in 2020 compared to previous years.
Having raised OMR2.4 million towards worthwhile causes in 2020, on the day of the United Nations International Day of Charity, charitable organisations in the country have said volunteers who contribute their time and resources will never be turned away, as there is always a need for people who are willing to help others.
This year, Dar Al Atta’a, one of the country’s largest charities, has raised funds for many causes, both within and outside Oman.
“The most important donation campaigns carried out by Dar Al Atta’a this year were the Together Campaign to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and the Peace Campaign for Beirut to help those affected by the explosion in Lebanon,” said Mayssa Al Hinai, marketing manager for the charity.
“During the period of the pandemic, we have seen a huge increase in the total donations at the individual level, while at institutional level, we witnessed a huge decline,” she admitted. “We are facing a big challenge in finding stable sources of income for the association, and to cover operational expenses.
“Our advice to donors and society in general is that if you continue to donate, it means that individuals and families whose source of income has been cut off will continue to have a decent life,” Al Hinai said.
“There are many ways to donate: you can provide direct donations, do bank transfers, put money in donation boxes, and contribute through the donate.om portal.”
According to donate.om, the online donation site of the Ministry of Social Development, through which people can donate to any registered charity of their choice, a total of OMR2,464,469 has been collected between 1 January and 5 September 2020, from 168,521 donors.
Donations spiked in May of this year, when nearly more than OMR1.1 million came in the form of donations from nearly 80,000 contributors. April saw 15,000 donors chip in with more than OMR300,000, while July saw contributions of another OMR350,000 from more than 25,000 donors. OMR300,000 was also received during August, when nearly 23,000 people donated to charities.
In the last 12 years, the donate.om portal has reported contributions worth OMR6,892,996, with 2020 so far being the year with the highest amount contributed, followed by 2019, when nearly 55,000 donors made donations worth more than a million Rials.
The donations from 2011 to 2018 have steadily increased year-on-year, but continue to remain in the six-figure range. For every month so far, the top donor has selflessly contributed more than OMR1,000 in personal income.
The highest portion of donations this year has gone to the Oman Charitable Organisation, the government’s charity arm which has received OMR503,976 from 40,769 donors, followed by zakat contributions towards the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (OMR493,991 from 4,342 donors).
Al Rahma Association, which looks after mother and child welfare, has received another OMR341,648 from 24,764 people, while Dar Al Atta’a took in some OMR319,123 from nearly 31,000 donors.
Many donations have been made to regional charity organisations, which look after the needy in places such as Manah, Saham, Amerat, Ibri, Sohar, Bahla, Samail and Al Musannah, as well as towards organisations that look after the disabled and provide healthcare to those who need it, including Al Noor Association for the Blind, the Oman Cancer Association, the Association for the Welfare of the Handicapped, and the Association for Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs.
Adding to this, Abeer Abdullah Al Mujaini, the head of psychology for the Psychology of Youth Volunteering Team, which provides mental health services to those who cannot access them, said, “We will be happy to accept volunteers who want to work with us. We specialise primarily in mental healthcare, but that does not mean we will turn people away if we feel they are the right fit.”
Everyone is welcome to approach us. When you volunteer for a greater cause, you are giving up a portion or some time of your own for an initiative that is bigger than you.”
Rahima Al Musafir, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Rahma Association said, “We have launched 12 initiatives in response to the circumstances of the pandemic, with the total donations amounting to OMR216,757.
“During the coronavirus pandemic, we did not witness a decrease in the donations, but rather the opposite: because of the people’s confidence in the association and its initiatives to support those affected, the rate of donations increased.”
“Omani society has been known for its enduring cohesion,” she added. “There are a number of needy among us who deserve from the community to translate this cohesion in providing them with assistance.”
“People can donate cash money through the association’s bank accounts, Thawani application and via the portal for charitable donations and cash payment directly in the association building,” said Al Musafir.
“We also receive in-kind donations such as food, used and new furniture, electrical appliances, new and old clothes, and plastic bottles covers.”
